To celebrate Earth Day 2020, we’ve pooled content addressing the theme of “climate action”. These research and commentary articles highlight societal action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as well as action to recognize climate change as a defining issue of our time. Read more below.

#FridaysForFuture and youth climate action

•  Darrick Evensen writes that #FridaysForFuture should focus not just on science communication, but on the ethical and political barriers preventing governmental climate action.
•  The movement has been important for galvanizing broader participation in democracy, writes Dana R. Fisher.

Climate action at smaller scales

•  To realize the climate targets set out in international agreements and scenarios, Linda Steg notes the importance of focusing research on behavioral and other changes necessary for the rapid shift to low-carbon lifestyles.
• Corporations could do better; Simon Dietz and co-authors contend that more of these entities need to set and adhere to quantitative emissions targets.
•  Patricia Romero-Lankao and colleagues articulate technology-independent pathways to motivate transformation in cities.
•  Angel Hsu and co-authors discuss the importance of quantifying and accounting for non-state and subnational mitigation action.

The land surface and biosphere are central to climate action

•  To meet ambitious targets like keeping warming to 1.5 ºC or below, Stephanie Roe and co-authors discuss the potential contribution of the land sector to meeting Paris goals.
•  Nathalie Seddon and colleagues point out the need to consider biodiversity and ecosystem health in afforestation in the land sector.

Climate justice in mitigation and adaptation actions

•  Climate-smart agriculture intends to increase food security while decreasing GHG emissions. Jon Hellin and Eleanor Fisher argue these interventions can overlook broader equity and inclusion trade-offs.
•  Nitya Rao and co-authors find that environmental stress decreases women’s agency in adaptation decisions in Asian and African climate change hotspots.

We hope you enjoy these articles, which are just a few of those we’ve published on climate action. Happy Earth Day!